Canon

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈkæn.É™n/
• Rhymes: -ænÉ™n
• Homophones: cannon

Origin

From Old French canon, from Latin canōn, from Ancient Greek κανών (kanón, "measuring rod, standard"), akin to κάννα (kanna, "reed"), perhaps from Semitic (compare Hebrew קָנֶה (qane, "reed")). See also cane.

Noun

1. A generally accepted principle; a rule.The trial must proceed according to the canons of law.
• ShakespeareOr that the Everlasting had not fixed His canon 'gainst self-slaughter.
2. A group of literary works that are generally accepted as representing a field.unknown date "the durable canon of American short fiction" — William Styron
3. The works of a writer that have been accepted as authentic.the entire Shakespeare canon
4. A eucharistic prayer, particularly the Roman Canon.
5. A religious law or body of law decreed by the church.We must proceed according to canon law.
6. A catalogue of saints acknowledged and canonized in the Roman Catholic Church.
7. In monasteries, a book containing the rules of a religious order.
8. A member of a cathedral chapter; one who possesses a prebend in a cathedral or collegiate church.
9. A piece of music in which the same melody is played by different voices, but beginning at different times.Pachelbel’s Canon has become very popular.
10. (fandom) Those sources, especially including literary works, which are generally considered authoritative regarding a given fictional universe.A spin-off book series revealed the aliens to be originally from Earth, but it's not canon.
11. (cookery) A rolled and filleted loin of meat.a canon of beef or lamb
12. (printing) The largest size of type with a specific name, formerly used for printing the canons of the church.
13. (bell)The part of a bell by which it is suspended; the ear or shank of a bell.
14. (billiards) A carom.

Derived terms

Anagrams

• ancon, Conan